In this review of Transformers #28, Miles Mayhem wreaks havoc at Shadow Watch, Arcee takes a virtual walkabout, Optimus Prime has doubts, and Megatron gets in touch with his feral side.
Transformers #28
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Dan Mora
Main Cover: David Nakayama
Variant Covers: Daniel Warren Johnson, Ejikure, Dan Mora, Jorge Corona
Page Count: 36 Pages
Release Date: January 14, 2026
This review contains spoilers
Transformers #28 begins at the Decepticon base as Megatron goes wild, spouting unfamiliar words and tossing around Constructicons like they were Micro Masters. Megatron finally calms down and welcomes back Skywarp into the fold. Skywarp gets Megatron up to speed about dealings at the Autobot base. Megatron tells everyone to get ready for battle which draws concerned looks from the Decepticons.
Meanwhile back at the Autobot Ark, Arcee goes on a virtual walkabout with Ultra Magnus as a guide, as she prepares to become the new Magnus. Optimus Prime voices concerns regarding Ultra Magnus relinquishing his leadership role at such a turbulent time. Elsewhere, Soundwave attempts to guilt Thundercracker about his defection, but the newly confirmed Autobot fires back, warning Soundwave that sooner or later he will discover for himself the true nature of the Decepticons.
Over at Shadow Watch, Miles Mayhem is taken into custody by armed soldiers and General Flagg, but Mayhem activates his transforming helmet and makes a break for it, killing a number of soldiers in the process. Mayhem’s Switchblade vehicle drops out of the sky, enabling his escape. Injured, General Flagg watches helplessly, asking someone to get in touch with Matt Trakker (it’s a M.A.S.K. thing).
Elsewhere, Carly and Spike return home and talk about their future, while back at the Ark, the newly minted Arcee Magnus calls the Autobots to order after Optimus Prime requests that Ultra Magnus remain on active duty. After the roll call, Optimus notices that Trailbreaker is missing from the group (he’s outside in the woods, taking in the world’s natural beauty).
Transformers #28 ends with Megatron viciously attacking Trailbreaker, ripping the Autobot apart and fully draining his spark energy, essentially killing Trailbreaker for good.
Analysis
Transformers #28 begins with Megatron in the throes of a berserker rage, and ends with the Decepticon leader unleashing full feral ferocity on the unsuspecting (and undeserving) Trailbreaker. Megatron is in full arch villain mode, crushing TB’s head, ripping his body in half and literally drinking up his spark energy like some sort of cybernetic vampire.
Writer Robert Kirkman confidently continues his new direction for the series, moving the plot forward for most of the characters (except for those trapped on Cybertron). Carly and Spike look back briefly while making plans for their future in this new Energon Universe. Arcee becomes the new Magnus mostly without drama or conflict (minus Optimus’ growing ambivalence about the entire affair).
Kirkman also doesn’t shy away from the graphic violence in Transformers #28 in what has to be the goriest Transformers comic in history, as Miles Mayhem’s new Transformer tech helmet includes an acid spray, while Megatron’s new proactive approach to winning the Autobot/Decepticon war verges on literal overkill.
General Flagg continues to be the most interesting and entertaining character in Kirkman’s run, with Flagg’s high spirited running commentary functioning essentially as a surrogate for comic book readers. One small quibble though, how did Flagg not thoroughly vet Mayhem before giving him full access to Shadow Watch over Matt Trakker? It’s actually kind of endearing that Flagg doesn’t really know everything and is willing to admit when he’s wrong.
Dan Mora’s artwork maintains its usual high quality, with the artist going all in on the shocking Megatron and Miles Mayhem sequences, including the Shadow Watch escape and those final few pages of cybernetic carnage. Mora also excels at making the quiet moments interesting, including the Spike/Carly and Soundwave/Thundercracker exchanges.
Final Thoughts
Transformers #28 is a thrilling and unflinching new chapter full of sharp writing and gorgeous art that illustrates the creative team’s willingness to push the boundaries for fans who grew up with the IP, taking the series in a decidedly more mature and dangerous direction (for the Autobots at least).
